GTC comment on licence to practise

13 November 2009

Commenting on press reports that the National Union of Teachers has launched a campaign against the government's proposals to introduce a renewable licence to practise for teachers in England, the General Teaching Council said today:

'If the government’s proposals become law, the General Teaching Council, which registers qualified teachers in England, will be asked to operate the licensing system.

'The first and most important test of the proposals is whether they will bring real and tangible benefits for teaching and learning, and therefore to children and young people. It is quite a challenge to develop a model for half a million teachers which has enough rigour to make a difference, but does not impose a disproportionate burden on schools or teachers.

'To be workable therefore, any licence to practise model should be proportionate and risk based. It would need to build on existing systems such as performance management. However those systems and teachers' access to good quality continuing professional development need to be substantially improved, so that all teachers have an equal and equitable chance of renewing their licence.

'Teaching’s professional Code sets out a requirement on teachers to reflect on and develop their practice. The GTC has long argued that teachers therefore need an entitlement to continuing professional development to support that professional commitment.'

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